English pronunciation · Words Starting with I
Initially Pronunciation
Initially is pronounced i-NI-shuh-lee, IPA /ˌɪˈnɪʃəli/.
i-NI-shuh-lee
US /ˌɪˈnɪʃəli/ · UK /ɪˈnɪʃəˌli/
Syllables: i · NI · shuh · lee (4 syllables, stress on syllable 2)
adverb: To begin with, at the first stage of something that later changed.
Audio for the American and British pronunciations plays on this page with JavaScript enabled.
Initially in a Sentence
- Initially we planned to drive, but the train was cheaper.
- She was initially sceptical about the whole idea.
- The site initially sold books only.
Common Mispronunciations of Initially
Not i-ni-see-AL-ee
The ti in the middle gives a plain sh. Spelling it out adds a syllable and moves the beat to the wrong place.
Not IN-i-shuh-lee
Weight belongs on NI, the second syllable, exactly where initial puts it. Starting loud flattens the word.
Tip: Four syllables: i-NI-shuh-lee. Say initial, then add lee.
More words starting with i · Every word in the pronunciation guide